Two-part cartridge magazine

ABSTRACT

A two-pat cartridge magazine comprises a first part in the form of a head unit, and a second part in the form of a container unit wherein the head unit is removably mounted on the container unit so as to be usable on each of a plurality of container units.

United States Patent Sibilia July 18, 1972 TWO-PART CARTRIDGE MAGAZINE 2,773,325 12/1956 Hill ..42/50 72 Inventor: Alfred F. Sibilia, Will Palmar Road, g'ggzgg 5:32: ff "2328 Southwick Mass 01077 n o [22] Filed: Nov. 24, 1969 Primary Examiner-Benjamin A. Borchelt Assistant Examiner-C. T. Jordan [21] Appl 879l36 Attorney-Kenwood Ross and Chester E. Flavin [52] U.S. Cl... ..42/50, 42/88 [57] ABSTRAC [51] Int. Cl. F4lc 25/02, F42b 39/00 A two-pat cartndge magazme compnses a first part m the [58] Fleld of Search ..42/50, 6, 87, 88 form of a head unit, and a Second p in the form ofa com tainer unit wherein the head unit is removably mounted on the [56] References cued container unit so as to be usable on each of a plurality of con- UNITED STATES PATENTS miner units- 2,765,558 10/1956 Roper et a]. ..42/50 3 Claim, 8 Drawing figures PATENTEU JUL 1 8 i972 FIG.2.

FIG.

INVENTOR ALFRED F. SIBILIA BY )Qmumi @914 a C/LMZZZCQ 7m ATTORNEYS.

TWO-PART CARTRIDGE MAGAZINE The invention provides a cartridge magazine which includes a container unit for storing a supply of cartridges and a head unit which is replaceably mounted thereon to save considerable cost, inasmuch as the head unit, the most intricately machined part of a magazine, may be used with several different container units.

The invention makes it possible for the container unit to be fabricated unitarily as by a molding or press process. With the top being fully open, the follower and biasing spring may be readily installed therein without the need for a separate base plate as is common in conventional magazines.

Because several such container units may be used with but a single head unit, the invention affords realization of considerable saving as to space and consequential costs when extremely large quantities of the item are used, as by the armed services.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a view, in perspective, of the empty container unit of the magazine;

FIG. 2 is a view, in perspective, of the cartridge retainer cover of the container unit;

FIG. 3 is a view, in perspective, of the loaded container unit, with the cartridge retainer cover shown in association therewith;

FIG. 4 is a view, in section, of the container unit as viewed adjacent the rear end;

FIG. 5 is a view, in perspective, of the head unit;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view, in perspective, of the magazine showing the cartridge retainer cover being partially removed and with the head unit being partially installed;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view, in perspective, showing the head unit installed on the container unit; and

FIG. 8 is en enlarged view, in longitudinal section, showing the upper portion of the magazine with the cartridges removed therefrom.

A two-part cartridge magazine 12 is shown which includes a container unit 14 and a head unit 16 replaceably mounted thereon. Container unit 14 is adapted for releasably holding two columns of alternately spaced cartridges 18 which are pressed upwardly toward the open top of the container unit by a follower 20, of conventional design, which is acted upon by a biasing spring 22.

A tab 24 extends from both the front and rear ends of follower 20, as shown in FIG. 8, so as to be slidingly received by accommodating grooves 26 in the respective front and rear ends of container unit 14, which grooves 26 are each terminated at the top by a respective wall 28. When walls 28 are contacted by respective tabs 24, follower 20 is held against displacement from container unit 14.

The sides of container unit 14 extend upwardly above the front and rear ends thereof and a channel 32 is formed in each of these extensions which cooperates in slidingly receiving a cover 34 to hold cartridges 18 in the container unit against the bias of spring 22.

Container unit 14 may obviously be economically fabricated complete as a single unit by a molding or a press process from plastic or metal.

Head unit 16 is provided with a pair of lips 36 which, when the head unit is installed on container 14, alternately hold the topmost of cartridges 18 against displacement from the magazine and position such cartridge for pickup by the firearm bolt in which the magazine is operationally mounted.

Head unit 16 is slidingly mounted on container unit 14 by means of tongues 38 extending outwardly along the sides thereof, each being slidingly received by the respective channel 32.

A flange 40 extends downwardly from the rear end of head unit 16 and when in contact with the rear end of container unit 14, correctly positions the head unit thereon and prevents forward displacement of the head unit relative to the container unit, as cartridges 18 are stripped forwardly therefrom by the firearm bolt. p

Head unit 16 is readily installed on container unit 14, when As head unit 16 is pushed into place, cover 34 is simultaneously removed so that cartridges 18 are at all times held against displacement from container unit 14.

When flange 40 contacts the rear end of container unit 14, head unit 16 is correctly positioned thereon and the magazine is thus ready for firearm installation.

Head unit 16 is removed, when the magazine is emptied, by pressing downwardly on follower 20 through lips 36 until it is depressed clear of the head unit and by then pulling backwardly thereon.

I claim:

1. A cartridge magazine including: a container unit for storing a plurality of cartridges, and a head unit replaceably mounted on the container unit for successive use with several thereof, the head unit including a pair of lips adapted for releasably holding the cartridges in the magazine and positioning the topmost of the cartridges for extraction therefrom when the head unit is mounted on the container unit, the container unit being of unitary construction having a sole opening in the top thereof, and including a spring-biased follower mounted in the container unit for pressing the cartridges therein upwardly toward such opening, the follower including a tab extending from each of the opposite ends thereof for reception by an accommodating groove in the container unit and thereby permitting controlled sliding displacement of the follower therein, and a wall terminating the top of each groove, the walls being positioned to prevent displacement of the follower from the container unit by contact of the respective tabs therewith.

2. The magazine as defined in claim 1, and including a cover for the container unit, channels in the container unit for slidingly mounting the cover thereon for retaining cartridges therein, and tongue portions on the head unit received by the channels for slidingly mounting the head unit on the container unit and providing for simultaneous removal of the cover therefrom during installation at the head unit thereon.

3. The magazine as defined in claim 2 and including a flange depending from the head unit for contact with the container unit for properly locating the head unit relative thereto and preventing displacement of the head unit relative to the container unit as cartridges are stripped from the magazine. 

1. A cartridge magazine including: a container unit for storing a plurality of cartridges, and a head unit replaceably mounted on the container unit for successive use with several thereof, the head unit including a pair of lips adapted for releasably holding the cartridges in the magazine and positioning the topmost of the cartridges for extraction therefrom when the head unit is mounted on the container unit, the container unit being of unitary construction having a sole opening in the top thereof, and including a spring-biased follower mounted in the container unit for pressing the cartridges therein upwardly toward such opening, the follower including a tab extending from each of the opposite ends thereof for reception by an accommodating groove in the container unit and thereby permitting controlled sliding displacement of the follower therein, and a wall terminating the top of each groove, the walls being positioned to prevent displacement of the follower from the container unit by contact of the respective tabs therewith.
 2. The magazine as defined in claim 1, and including a cover for the container unit, channels in the container unit for slidingly mounting the cover thereon for retaining cartridges therein, and tongue portions on the head unit received by the channels for slidingly mounting the head unit on the container unit and providing for simultaneous removal of the cover therefrom during installation at the head unit thereon.
 3. The magazine as defined in claim 2 and including a flange depending from the head unit for contact with the container unit for properly locating the head unit relative thereto and preventing displacement of the head unit relative to the container unit as cartridges are stripped from the magazine. 